The Unseen Architects of K-Pop: How Black Artists Are Shaping Global Hits Like WayV's Latest Album

What's the secret ingredient in your favorite K-Pop hit? A closer look at the credits reveals an undeniable connection between K-Pop and Black music. This isn't just a fleeting trend; it's a foundational relationship that continues to evolve, as demonstrated by the recent winter special album from the group WayV.

Deep Roots and Modern Collaborations

It’s no secret that many K-Pop songs draw from genres created and popularized by Black artists, especially Black Americans, including Hip-Hop and R&B. This influence is now more direct than ever, with numerous Black songwriters and producers frequently featured in the tracklists of top K-Pop acts.

A key example is producer DEM JOINTZ. According to his social media, he contributed to WayV's winter special album, 'Eternal White,' which was released earlier this month on December 8. His involvement highlights the active and crucial role that Black creators play in shaping the sound of the global K-Pop landscape.

More Than Influence, It's a Global Strategy

These partnerships go beyond simply achieving musical diversity. For K-Pop agencies, working with world-renowned producers is a core strategy for penetrating Western markets. It allows them to craft a sound that feels both familiar to international listeners and distinctly K-Pop, bridging cultural gaps and accelerating their global reach.